U.S.: Deaths over 5,000 as more states join the stay home movement
More than 1,000 people died of coronavirus in the U.S. on Wednesday, bringing the U.S. death toll to over 5,000. Several states joined the stay-home movement. In Los Angeles, the mayor has urged residents to wear masks. And in New York, a former police commissioner was brought back to serve as the medical supplies czar. Read more.
Worldwide: Spain deaths surpass 10,000, Russia reports record spike
Spain’s health ministry reported Thursday that a record 950 people had died overnight, bringing the country’s death toll to more than 10,000. It is the second country to date to surpass 10,000 coronavirus deaths. Russia has also reported a record daily increase of 771 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the country’s total number of infections to more than 3,500. Read more.
Cases Moving Bar Chart: Active Cases by Country
See the bar chart here: from Jan. 22 to present.
U.S. March jobless claims up to 10 million
The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week soared by a record 6.6 million, bringing the increase in new jobless claims in the past two weeks of March to 10 million. Just one month ago, new claims were in the low 200,000s, which was near a half-century low. The states recording the largest increases last week were California and New York. Read more.
Trump seeks help from Walmart in securing surgical gowns
President Donald Trump has sought help from Walmart and CEO Doug McMillon securing surgical gowns. Walmart will delve into its global supply chain to identify a company to make an undisclosed number of gowns. Some of its suppliers could have the capability to provide them. Walmart has offered up its parking lots to open testing centers for COVID-19. Read more.
Regional EMS Council of New York issues guidance to leave cardiac arrest victims at scene
The Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council of New York, which oversees New York City’s ambulance service, issued the guidance to leave cardiac arrest victims at the scene if their hearts cannot be restarted at the scene, rather than being brought to coronavirus-strained hospitals for further revival attempts. Previously, people whose hearts could not be restarted on the scene would be brought to the hospital. The decree took effect immediately. Read more.